... enormous Irwin killer (stingray) materialises from below, floats past like a stealth bomber with graceful waves rippling along her wings. And a curious, long, razor-toothed barracuda accompanies us throughout. I spy the elegant striped projections of a lionfish hiding in a deep cave and venture in for a closer look, only to be ambushed by the mean, ugly head of a giant, leathery, blue-gray moray eel. Surprised, I retreat (unnecessarily) and check on my depth and ...

... military presence in the 20th century, you don't here much English on the street. Yes I can get by no problem with English here but one look at a menu at a corner restaurant and it's obvious that I'm far from home. My taxi driver from the airport asked if I was hungry while sitting in crazy Manila traffic, I said yes but that I wanted street food, no restaurants. We quickly crossed several lanes of traffic, 3 painted lanes but 5 lanes of cars, and went ...

Tonight, we will spend our first night en board S/Y Jennifer. With three bunks in our cabin and en suite facilities we have all we need for comfortable if not commodious living! Our fellow crew is made up of two Russians and three Swedes. We are ...